Traditional plant known as geraniums has been a gardening staple for more than a century. Because they have historically been utilised in beds, borders, and containers, geraniums are still among the most popular plants.
No matter which geranium kinds you decide to plant in your next container or flower bed, don't forget to deadhead them frequently. Remember to feed them as well! I have many colors of them in my garden. They are best grown for their oil and sweet fragrance. They bloom in clusters and when they are not blooming, their leaves also look very attractive.
Overview
Geraniums are annual as well as perennial houseplants. They belong to pelargonium genus and come in a wide range of colors like orange, red, pink, purple and white. They require a lot of sunlight or good bright light if grown indoors. They keep on blooming the whole year more or less depending on the temperature. They are very good for containers and hanging baskets.
Plantation Site
In borders and beds, geraniums look beautiful. Traditional bedding is robust in dry settings and cosy in warm weather. They also make striking window boxes and the centre of attention in clusters of pots. Geraniums are a versatile plant that come in a wide variety in bloom size, shape, and colour.
Geraniums are usually planted as annuals, however in Zones 10 and 11, they are perennials. If they have enough light, they can bloom all year long indoors. You can even bring them inside to overwinter and then plant them outside in the spring.
How and When To Grow
Once the last date for spring frost has passed, you can plant sun-loving annual and perennial geraniums. You can also plant perennial geraniums in the early autumn when the weather starts to cool off. Choose an area with well-draining soil because geraniums dislike wet feet. After raking the soil to a depth of 12 inches, add compost. Allow space for each plant to grow.
Caring Instructions
Light
The majority of annual geraniums prefer to be in direct sunlight. Ivy geraniums are an exception since they prefer some light shade.
Soil and Water
Loamy, well-draining soil is ideal for growing geraniums. Heavier soil should be amended with compost, peat, or perlite. When planting geraniums in containers, use commercial topsoil, sand, and a tiny bit of peat moss for the best drainage. It's essential to have good drainage.
Keep the geranium plants dry in the top inch of soil before watering. Once or twice a week, depending on the season and the weather, is usually sufficient.
Fertilizer
Geraniums grown annually consume a lot of nutrition as they are heavy bloomers. Fertilising the plants with liquid fertilizer once or twice a month is necessary for them to bloom, especially if they are in pots.
Outside of bloom season, every four to six weeks of application of a balanced, slow-release granular fertiliser is sufficient. Refer to the product label for dose recommendations.
Pests and Diseases
Some geraniums, particularly the ivy variety, have a condition called edoema on the underside of the leaves. When the soil is warm and moist and the air is cool and humid, plants can hold more water than they can absorb. This results in scabs that turn dark and rough and harm the leaf cells. Damaged leaves are easily removed, and contact does not spread it.
Propagation
Stem cuttings are the most effective way of geranium propagation. To take a stem cutting, cut the stem just above a node. This encourages new growth on the parent plant. Cut beneath a second node that is a few inches away from the first one you made. A cutting length of 4 to 6 inches is optimal. Remove all the leaves minus the top few. Firmly press the cutting into warm, moist planting medium. After that, add water and place in a protected area. Within a few weeks, the plant will begin to send out roots.
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